[m365weekly] #151

M365 Newsletter title logo M365 Weekly Newsletter

Issue #151

☁️What’s on my mind

The devil is in the details, they say. What happens when a small change happens overnight in the licensing rules which has quite big consequences?

Users on Reddit have noticed that Microsoft has sneaked a little something into its licensing rules for Exchange Online mailboxes.

Connecting Exchange Online services with Outlook for Windows, Classic Outlook for Windows, and Outlook for Mac requires that these applications are first licensed with an account that includes rights to Microsoft 365 desktop applications.

Have a nice weekend,
Matic Z.


[FEATURED STORY] How many OneDrives there are?

Ever been confused by OneDrive and its various aspects? You’re not alone! As usual, Microsoft assigned the same name to two different applications: cloud storage for private files and folders, and the Sync Client that synchronizes those files to your PC. To make matters more confusing, OneDrive Sync Client also syncs SharePoint document libraries, and OneDrive comes in Personal and Business flavors.

OneDrive Personal vs. OneDrive for Business vs. OneDrive Sync Client. An excellent break-down of the differences.


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☁️Productivity & Modern Workplace

An app too far? The pros and cons of Microsoft’s new Loop app. The Loop app has been generating buzz with its innovative approach to collaboration. Dive into the app’s backstory, dating back to 2019, and see how it has evolved into its current form.

Stay on top of your chats with Copilot in Teams. Keeping up with Microsoft Teams chats can be challenging, especially when dealing with different time zones or busy schedules. Copilot in Teams chat is here to help you stay on top of your conversations by generating chat highlights from the past 7 days or other specified periods.

Introduction to Microsoft Fabric: A Comprehensive Overview. Microsoft Fabric is changing the world of data analytics by offering a unified solution that integrates data movement, data science, real-time analytics, and business intelligence. With its SaaS foundation, Fabric makes it easy for enterprises to use tools like Power BI, Azure Synapse, and Azure Data Factory, all while centralizing data management in OneLake.


☁️Sysadmin Stuff

What Is “mx.microsoft”? Microsoft is introducing a new MX delivery domain for Exchange Online called mx.microsoft, which will replace the current mail.protection.outlook.com domain. This change is necessary to support new DNSSEC extensions and improve email security. Starting in March 2024, new vanity domains will follow a new format. Do you need to make any changes to your existing tenants? Check out the article.

New Microsoft Entra License Utilization Portal Now in Public Preview. Optimizing Microsoft Entra ID licenses can be challenging and costly, but the newly introduced Entra ID License Utilization Portal aims to improve efficiency in license management. This portal provides insights on Entra ID P1 and P2 license usage, helping organizations avoid over-usage issues and optimize costs.

A Guide to Disable ‘Stay Signed In’ Prompt in Microsoft 365. The ‘Stay signed in?’ option in Microsoft 365 reduces the number of times users need to sign in, providing a more seamless experience. However, this feature can pose security risks when used on public computers. Administrators can disable this prompt through the Microsoft Entra admin center to mitigate such risks.


☁️Security & Data Governance

Why Prompt Injection Is a Threat to Large Language Models. Prompt injection attacks can trick large language models (LLMs) and chatbots into revealing sensitive information or performing unintended actions. It’s crucial to address this challenge to protect your data. By filtering prompt input and output, using private LLMs, validating users, and monitoring LLM behavior, you can reduce the risk of prompt injection attacks.

Navigating NIS2 requirements with Microsoft Security solutions. The EU’s Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2) expands cybersecurity risk management measures and reporting obligations for digital service providers and operators of essential services. Key features of NIS2 include risk assessments, multifactor authentication, and security procedures for employees handling sensitive data.

Step-by-Step Guide: Enforcing Password History in Intune. Enforcing password history in Intune can help secure your organization’s accounts and prevent password reuse. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process, from creating a custom policy to assigning it to specific users or groups. 


☁️Noteworthy (long)reads

The ‘On-Premise’ Debate: How Data Center Slang Went Mainstream. The term ‘on-premise’ has become so common in the tech industry that its grammatical inaccuracy is often overlooked. Linguistics experts suggest that this phenomenon is a result of language evolution and adaptive usage. Okay, this on-premises dilemma reminds me of the most divisive theme in the world IT: is it “gif” or “jif” when it comes to the GIF graphic format?


DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

March 31, 2024 – Classic Teams retirement. You’ll have to deploy the new Teams client.

April 15, 2024 – Microsoft Stream (Classic) retirement. Final stage. All data on Stream Classic will be deleted. Migrate to the new Stream (on Sharepoint).

By September 30, 2024 – Business Connectivity Services (BCS) retirement in Microsoft 365. (Timeline and alternative solution)

December 16, 2024Retiring of Delve application.

End of 2024 – Mail and Calendar Apps in Windows will be retired. The new Outlook will be installed on new Windows 11 devices.

October 2026Retirement of Microsoft Publisher app which has been a part of Office Suite for years.


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☁️On a Less Serious Note


☁️ Last but not least …

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